Knaresborough business awarded for dedication to town

Hollie Bone

The Knaresborough branch of Yorkshire Building Society has been recognised by the company for its commitment to the local community.

The High Street branch has been named as one of 20 throughout the company to win one of the company’s inaugural ‘Society Matters’ Awards.

More than 200 Yorkshire Building Society (YBS)locations were in the running for the awards which were officially announced in early February.

Rosie Brierley, manager of the Knaresborough branch of Yorkshire Building Society, said: “We were overwhelmed, one because we didn’t know the awards existed but we were overwhelmed to be nominated for something which is part of our integrity and who we are as people. It was fantastic.”

The ‘Society Matters’ awards were run for the first time this year and aim to recognise the branches which have made a positive impact on the communities where they are based in the last year.

Over the course of 2015 colleagues and customers at YBS in Knaresborough have held collections Harrogate Homeless Project and volunteered at local organisations including Follifoot Park Disabled Riders Group.

Last year the branch also raised £1,242 for the Society’s Hour of Need campaign which funds Marie Curie nursing care for people with a terminal illness.

The team took part in a number of events put on by the company to support the charity.

Rosie said: “Back in March was ‘uphill for daffodils’.

“We ran on a treadmill, we ran six miles each so we ran 24 miles for 24 hours of care - a mile for every hour in the day, and that raised £240.”

Individual team members also took on a number of challenges throughout the year to show their commitment to good causes.

Ms Brierley said: “One staff member ran the Yorkshire three peaks and three of my team did bag packing in Marks and Spencer on Leeds Road for the Just B bereavement service.

“We also ran in the Santa fun run at Stockheld park for Martin House.”

But the commitment of the branch is Knaresborough knows no bounds - the team is eager to continue the kind spirited hard work in 2016.

The branch have applied to enter this year’s Knaresborough bed race and are also taking part in the GreatYorkshire bike ride from Wetherby to Filey.

Rosie said: “It’s not necessarily just the award it’s the type of people that we are, we want to get out into the community.”